At first I wasn't supposed to go to this concert, because I had organized a trip/party with some friends for my birthday, but my plans got screwed so I went to this instead. I had an incredible time!

This was my fourth time seeing Darkest Hour, and they're definitely getting better by time, and their new drummer slays. In my opinion, they're the best metalcore band out there. They totally killed it, although half of the crowd had not enterered the room (most people still thought they were playing second, I heard many frustrated fans, but well that's what the Internet is for...). Still, they had a much better crowd reaction than at Summer Slaughter 2011: there were a lot of cricle pits, chants and headbanging. I would have liked to hear more songs from Undoing Ruin and Deliver Us, but the new album is great so I didn't care that much. "Violent by Nature" was especially fun to hear and mosh to!

I went to the back of the venue to watch Suicide Silence, because they're not really my kind of music. I found their set pretty boring and Mitch's voice was more annoying than ever. Only song I really enjoyed was "Lifted". However, I have to admit they have a lot of energy and they know how to entertain a crowd. There was a really funny moment when Mitch was doing his bird headbanging move and he hit his left eye on his knee . Also, surprisingly, there was only one hardocre dancer in the pit... seems like all the scene kids are moving towards dubstep...

Finally, Machine Head played. It was my first time seeing them in a headlining context (I had seen them at Mayhem Fest last summer) and they completely blew my expectations. It was heavy as hell and the solos were insanely clear and powerful. The crowd went crazy for them, there were huge, and fun, pits and almost constant chants (yes, including that stupid "Machine Fucking Head" one). There were many epic crowd moments during their set. For example, at the end of "Darkness Within", the crowd kept singing the melody while clapping hands for about a minute. Other cool moments were everyone jumping to "The Blood, the Sweat, the Tears", singing along to "Halo" and "Davidian". When they left for the encore break, everyone in the venue started pounding the floor while screaming for them to come back. The band really seemed to enjoy the fans' devotion. Shows like this where people really care about the bands are always fun!

At the end, I managed to get a pick from Rob Flynn. I also got a flyer announcing SEPULTURA/DEATH ANGEL/KRISIUN/HAVOK at Club Soda on April 25th. It seems the rumors about this tour were true.

Sets are the same as on the previous dates.

Darkest Hour

Terra Nocturnus (intro)
The World Engulfed in Flames
No God
Savor the Kill
With a Thousand Words to Say but One
Violent by Nature
Love as a Weapon
Your Everyday Disaster
Doomsayer (The Beginning of the End)

Suicide Silence

You Only Live Once
Wake Up
Unanswered
O.C.D.
Bludgeoned to Death
Slaves to Substance
Lifted
Smoke
Disengage
Fuck Everything
No Pity for a Coward

Machine Head

I Am Hell (Sonata in C#)
Be Still and Know
Imperium
Beautiful Mourning
The Blood, the Sweat, the Tears
Locust
This Is the End
Aesthetics of Hate
Old
Darkness Within
(Declaration)
Bulldozer
Ten Ton Hammer
Who We Are

Yep, way too expensive! They should always be 20$, but I think it depends on the venue. The Metropolis is a really big one, and I heard they took a huge part of the merch profits, so the bands have to raise their prices in order to make money.

Also, surprisingly, there was only one hardocre dancer in the pit... seems like all the scene kids are moving towards dubstep...

Ya know, I've never seen a lot of that gay moshing in Montreal. Montreal may not have the most violent crowds, but they metal mosh. Lot's of pushing and hockey and football style hits, the way moshing should be!

Still bummed I had to miss this. Have already taken some vacation time for shows this year. Very cool review, and thanks for posting! You going to Terror next month or Deicide in March? Those are my next 2 MTL shows.

Still bummed I had to miss this. Have already taken some vacation time for shows this year. Very cool review, and thanks for posting! You going to Terror next month or Deicide in March? Those are my next 2 MTL shows.